Apparatus for counting money.



' P. E. BOURUK.

APPARATUS FOR COUNTING MONEY.

APPLIUATION FILED 001221, 1909.

1,020,397, Patented Mar. 19, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANocRAHl' :0-. WASHINGTON. D. c.

F. B. BOURCK.

APPARATUS FOR COUNTING MONEY.

APPLICATION FILED 00121, 1909.

1,020,397. Patented Mar. 19,1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANUGRAI'II cu" WASHINGTON, B4 c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCOIS EMILE BOURCK, or PARIS, FRANCE.

APPARATUS FOR COUNTING MONEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 21, 1909. Serial No. 523,852.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANgoIs EMILE BoURoK, a citizen of France, residing at 28" Rue du Cardinal Lemoine, Paris, France, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Counting Money, of which the following is a specifica tion.

The present invention refers to a new counting apparatus for the purpose of determining the amount represented by a pile of coins.

Experience has shown that a pile containing the same number of coins may vary considerably in height according as to whether the coins contained therein are new or old. Thus it is impossible to rely on the height of a pile of coins for determining the total amount contained.

The estimating process which characterizes the present invention consists essentially in separating all the coins in the pile and forcing them to rest imbricated or overlapping on steps which project successively against the right and left edge of the pile.

It is absolutely necessary for the coins to be actuated successively, because if the steps were merely presented simultaneously against the pile, the distance separating the steps would have to vary according to the more or less worn condition of the coins, whereas by the steps coming successively into contact with the coins, the pile is gradually raised as the coins engage the one after the other on their respective steps. The column being thus arranged it is impossible for any error to arise and it suffices to graduate the steps according to the coins to be counted in order to be able immedi ately to recognize the sum represented by the pile of coins contained in the counting apparatus. There are several methods of practically carrying out the present invention: for example on the right and left of each pile of coins two movable inclined combs may be arranged, these combs being raised up simultaneously so that the lower teeth first separate the bottom coins of the pile and the other teeth successively engaging with the coins as the pile is raised by the teeth already engaged. Many other methods also permit of successively engaging a series of steps but in order to fix the ideas and for giving for the sake of example a practical method'of carrying out the present invention, the following description refers to an apparatus in which the steps are suitably arranged on two rods situated at the right and at the left of the pile, a rotary movement being imparted to these rods simultaneously.

I shall now describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation showing the apparatus before the steps are turned so as to engage with the coins. Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly in section, corresponding to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the apparatus with the steps turned so as to engage with the coins. Fig. i is a plan view, partly in section, corresponding to Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a front view of the removable tube. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section on the line A--A of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line BB of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a horizontal section on the line C--C of Fig. 5.

As may be seen from Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the rods (a) and (b) are provided with steps formed by strips (0) parallel to and equidistant from each other. These strips, which are arranged in planes perpendicular to the axis of the rod do not in each case completely surround the rod. Each of these strips start from a point situated on one and the same generating line, but each stop on a different generating line, so that the ends of each strip are arranged on one side along a straight line parallel to the axis of the rod and the other ends are situated along a spiral track of very elongated pitch.

The two rods are identical in construction butare so mounted that the strips on the one rod are staggered with respect to those on the other rod. The rods (41) and (b) are provided at their ends with two small gear wheels engaging respectively with the ratchet bars (71 (7L2) which are coupled together by connecting rods (2") and (i so as to be able to impart to both rods a simul taneous rotary movement in the same direction to about 'i-ths of a revolution.

The apparatus may comprise a series of similar devices only differing from each other by the distance between the rods, the pitch and the profile of the strips forming the steps so as to correspond to the various monetary units. In this case all the ratchet rods on one and the same side may be integral with each other and may be controlled by the same connecting rods.

The coins are piled on each other in a removable tube (zZ) Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 pro- Patented Mar. 19,1912.

vided with vertical openings (6) (f), of which the openings (6) are for the purpose of being able to see the coins and the other openings (f) for the purpose of allowing the strips or steps formed on the rods (a) and to penetrate into the interior of the tube In order that the level of the strips may be invariable with respect to the bottom coin of the pile it will be seen that the tube (cl) is placed over a boss (j) formed on the base plate, so that when the tube (cl) is in position in the counting apparatus, the coins will rest on this boss (j) and not on the edge (70) supporting them when the tube is removed from the apparatus.

This counting apparatus works in the following manner: If the rods are in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, that is to say the free parts unprovided with strips being situated in front of each other everything will be effected as if there were no counting device, and the removable tube can be placed in position so that the pile of coins will rest on the boss In this position in order instantly to ascertain the sum represented by the ile of coins, it suflices to move the ratchet bars so as to cause the rods to occupy the positions shown in Figs. 3 and 4. During the rotation of the rods the first strip of the right rod will push the bottom coin of the pile beneath the first strip of the rod on the left while the first strip of the rod on the left will push to the right the second coin on to the first strip of the rod on the right. The second strip of the rod on the right will push the third coin to the left, and so on.

It will be seen that the more or less worn condition of the coins does not affect the working of the apparatus, because as the lower coins engage on the strips the rest of the pile is raised. up and the coins are acted on separately and successively.

A stop limits the stroke of the ratchet bar when the rods are in the position shown in Figs. 3 and I. At this moment through the openings of the tube (d) can be seen all the imbricated coins resting on the strips of the rods and a scale (9) formed on the rod along the strips, graduates these strips according to the sums represented by each of them. It is thus materially impossible to make any mistake whatsoever.

It must be understood that this counting apparatus may be used by itself or in combination with a paying cash register or any other apparatus for classifying or distributing money.

In the case in which this counting apparatus is fitted to a coin distributing apparatus, the boss will be provided with a slot (Z) for the passage of the ejector, and the removable tube (d) will be provided with a corresponding opening as well as a passage (91) permitting the passage of the bottom coin on the thrust of the ejector.

Changes may be made in the shapes and proportions of the parts forming my improved counting apparatus, without departing from the scope of the present invention as described and laid down in the claims, therefore I do not wish to be limited to the particular form of counting apparatus herein described and shown.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is:

1. A coin counting apparatus comprising in combination, means for retaining a plurality of coins in superposed relation in a pile, counting mechanism adjacent the pile of coins, and devices for successively and alternately engaging and supporting the coins of the pile from the bottom to the top of said pile to support the same in counting relation with respect to said mechanism.

2. A coin counting apparatus comprising in combination, means for retaining a plurality of coins in superposed relation in a pile, counting mechanism adjacent said pile, and devices for successively and alternately engaging the coins to dispose and support the same when piled in counting relation with respect to said counting mechanism.

3. A coin counting apparatus comprising in combination, means for retaining a plurality of coins in superposed relation in a pile, counting mechanismadjacent said pile, and devices for successively engaging the coins to support the same in counting relation with respect to said mechanism.

4:. A coin counting apparatus comprising in combination, means for retaining a plurality of coins in superposed relation in a pile, counting mechanism adjacent said pile, devices for alternately engaging and supporting the coins of the pile to dispose the same in counting relation with respect to said mechanism.

5. A coin counting apparatus comprising in combination, means for retaining a plurality of coins in superposed relation in a pile, counting mechanism adjacent said pile, and devices for successively engaging the coins from the bottom to the top of said pile and supporting the same in counting relation with respect to said mechanism.

6. A coin counting apparatus comprising in combination, means for retaining a plurality of coins in superposed relation in a pile, counting mechanism adjacent said pile, and devices for alternately engaging the coins from the bottom to the top of said pile and supporting the same in counting relation with respect to said mechanism.

7 An apparatus for counting the number of coins in a pile comprising in combination, counting mechanism adjacent the pile, and

devices acting upon the piled coins and supporting the same in overlapping and counting relation with respect to said mechanism.

8. An apparatus for counting the number of coins in a pile comprising in combination, counting mechanism adjacent said pile, and devices for successively and alternately engaging the coins from the bottom to the top of said pile and supporting the piled coins in counting relation with respect to said mechanism.

9. Coin counting apparatus comprising a boss, supporting a column of coins, a re movable tube surrounding said column and provided with observation openings, rods parallel to said column and carrying parallel counting fingers equi-distant from each other, adapted to enter into slots of said tube, gear wheels at the end of said rods engaging with coupled ratched bars, imparting to both rods a simultaneous rotary movement, of a revolution in one direction, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

10. An apparatus for counting the number of coins in a pile, comprising in combination, counting means adjacent the pile, and devices for shifting the coins of the pile individually into counting relation to said means without disrupting the pile, substantially as described.

11. An apparatus for counting the number of coins in a pile, comprising in combination, counting means adjacent the pile,

and devices for successively shifting the coins of the pile into counting relation with said means without transferring the coins from said pile, substantially as described.

12. An apparatus for counting the number of coins in a pile, comprising in combination, counting means adjacent the pile, and devices for successively shifting the coins of the pile from the bottom toward the top of the pile, and into counting relation with said means without transferring the coins from said pile.

13. An apparatus for counting the number of coins in a pile, comprising in combination, counting means adjacent the pile, and devices for lifting the coins of the pile individually into counting relation with said means without transferring the coins from said pile.

14. An apparatus for counting the number of coins in a pile, comprising in combination, counting means adjacent the pile, and devices for changing the positions of the coins of the pile individually and moving them into counting relation with respect to said means without transferring the coins from said pile.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

FRANQOIS EMILE BOURGK.

l/Vitnesses:

VICTOR Pniivos'r, DEAN B. MASON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

